Three CA Charters receive Major Teacher Incentive Fund Grants from the U.S. Department of Education

The U.S. Department of Education announced in September that it has awarded 35 grants to improve pay structures, reward great teachers and principals and provide greater professional opportunities to teachers in high poverty schools. Winning applicants include a mix of districts, states, and nonprofits that together serve nearly 1,000 schools in 150 urban, suburban, and rural school districts in 18 states and D.C. Three California charter school organizations were recipients of these funds.

"Whether urban or rural, traditional or charter, successful schools are not possible without great teaching and leadership," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "Our best teachers and principals are invaluable leaders in changing life outcomes for students. They are desperately needed in our struggling schools, and they deserve to be recognized, rewarded, and given the opportunity to have a greater influence on their colleagues, students, and in their communities."

The winners were selected from a pool of over 120 applications. Award amounts represent the first two years of funding over the 5-year grant period.

Aspire Public Schools

Aspire Public Schools has piloted a performance-based compensation system (PBCS) and, in partnership with 29 of its schools, will expand the PBCS to all of its schools, as well as extend the teacher evaluation and compensation system to all teachers, in particular to add teachers of special education and non-tested subjects.

Green Dot Public Schools

Green Dot Public Schools, in partnership with 16 charter schools, developed a strategic human capital management system (HCMS) that promotes the mission of preparing students for college, career, leadership, and life.

Alliance College-Ready Public Schools

Alliance has previously piloted its performance-based compensation system (PBCS) in two of its schools and through this TIF grant, will bring the project to scale. The goal of Alliance-TIF is to effectively enhance student achievement so that high-need students graduate from high school fully prepared for college success.
Initial Funding Amount (2 years): $2,181,505
Total (5-year) Project Cost: $8,951,090

About the California Charter Schools Association

The California Charter Schools Association is the membership and professional organization serving 982 charter public schools and more than 412,000 students in the state of California. The Vision of the California Charter Schools Association is to usher in a new era in public education so all students attend independent, innovative, accountable schools of choice. The Mission of the California Charter Schools Association is to influence the legislative and policy environments, leverage collective advocacy, and provide resources to support our members in developing and operating high quality, charter schools reflective of California's student population. For more information, please visit www.ccsa.org.